The Look of Spring

 Here goes my attempt to keep up with a more regular blogging schedule. HA! I think when I go too much past a weekly post, I get out of the habit of recording life over here. Not a ton of blogging fodder as some call it, but just the regular days. I actually love those regular or ordinary days. 

One morning, I picked up Miles and we rushed to the Armament Museum to look for Billy Bowlegs's treasure. Paul Allen had heard the weekly clue on the radio on his way to work and knew immediately the location of the clue. He should have whipped back around to get it then because we were too late. Now, if I can remember what the clue was. Something like this: an eagle, a falcon, and warthog stand proud lies the coin between a white marker and bush. Those are 3 planes lined up right next to each other at the museum. I knew right where to look, but I guess we were beat to the spot. 

Miles and I got down on the ground and looked under all the benches:) We tried really hard.

I think very soon he is going to need to go in a stroller ride all around the park and meet all those cool planes. 

The search for treasure is all part of the Billy Bowlegs events here in Fort Walton Beach. They moved it up May a couple of years ago rather than in June to keep it a more local event and family friendly. While the weather isn't as warm as June, it is probably a lot easier to keep it under control with just locals rather than all the tourists added in the mix. It is a week long event with many things happening downtown and on the water. 

In my last post, many of you mentioned the shade of my live oaks. They are wonderful for shady walks in my neighborhood in the heat of summer. 

This is us most days strolling with Gus leading the way.

Everything is really pretty right now outside and the mornings are cooler, so it fun times outside. My daylillies are popping now.

I saw this on Instagram the other day. I, of course, loved the sentiment and the vintage look of it.

I don't think I have a green thumb, but just love to try and grow things.

I have been reading a good bit. I have read a couple of Florida books about our area which I have loved. I love to soak up history. I also read a good new release fiction book called Velvet by Heather Strommen. I had said I wasn't going to buy books, but after many months of seeing it advertised on her Instagram page I caved. It was a nice read. It had a faith theme running through it so it was a pleasant surprise. I would show you a picture, but I already passed it to Lindsay.

I have been stitching on the sunflowers. I stopped to start my May ornament which I will share later in the month. I think the sunflowers are going to make a lovely pillow.

I am just loving spring days, puttering around the house, and just doing the regular routine. Nothing earth shattering going on and that is good. Now that spring is here I want the days to slow down. No rushing.

Here is a cute photo of Miles and Mama. We went to the grocery store to do her shopping. Miles loves to go to the grocery store, so that makes it a bit easier to do that for her.

He is now 9 months old. 

Tucker and Palmer are coming to spend the night on Friday night. Mom and Dad are going on an overnight trip which I think is much needed. Jeff and I are looking forward to the two boys spending the night with us. 

That is about it here in my world. I try to keep my eyes off of the news and on my little blessings around me. It is the way to stay sane in these days. 

Sandy

Yardwork, Neighborhood Scenes and More

 I am a nature watcher and one of the coolest things in nature occurs here in spring. It is the live oaks and their process of shedding leaves and bringing forth new ones. They do all of it in a span of about 3 weeks while never being completely bare. The process usually starts in March and is finished about halfway through April. You will notice more leaves on the ground than usual and when you look up you notice a lighter green color and over the course of 3 weeks they completely revamp themselves. I always find it completely fascinating while there are those who it upsets greatly. My neighbor is one of those people. I will show you some pictures and you can decide where you will fall on the spectrum. 

Below is a driveway picture if not blown off regularly for the 3 weeks. At any given point during that time period, you will see lots of brown leaves or just some, and then you will see towards the end of the process those little brown seedy things. I like to call them worms, but I think the correct word for them is catkins.

Those little brown worms might be the only part I complain about because I really love the live oaks. They are truly what makes my neck of the woods iconic. Back to those worms, they will stick to you like magnets and they love pets. Then they always lose their magnetism once you have arrived indoors and then proceed to be little grains of seeds all over the floor. This part usually only lasts about a week, but like clockwork at the point where there are the most of them possible to be on the ground it will rain and they will stain your driveway, so that if you are one of those people who must have a pristine white concrete driveway then you will find yourself very unhappy. I however, am not of those people who likes a pristine white concrete driveway. I like my home to look like we have been there a while.

This is what the cut-de-sac looked like yesterday morning with the "worms" and last of the leaves on the pavement.

 The leaves aren't completely filled in on the older ones. 

In some sad news, we did lose the lemon tree. It was heartbreaking to pull it up. 

Jeff had cut most of the top of it and then used the truck to pull it out. 

We have planted a new one. This variety should be much cold hardy than the Meyer Lemon we had.

This variety is called a Harvey and hopefully it will never see temperatures like the Christmas Deep Freeze we had. It is small but the fun begins of watching it grow.

I got my pine straw out in my sideyard and planted a couple of day lilies in said side yard as well as some angelonium and vincas in my garage wall pots. The picture of the garage wall is not staged - it was taken while I was working.

I love watching the plants fill in and get big and happy. Gardening is one of my favorite hobbies. There is so much work to do, but I enjoy it. 

Pressure washing is on the list up front and there is tons on the back to do, but Jeff and I have learned to do a manageable amount each weekend.

Downstairs, I painted a table.

It was white and is at least 39 years old. It looked terrible so I painted it to give it new life. The chairs are almost kaput, so I am going to add some of the ones they usually have on the front of the store at Lowes...the canvas ones with the darker metal frames.

Do you see all the leaves, straw and catkins that need sweeping up on the deck. There is a live oak on the back of the house as well. Lots of pressure washing needs to happen too. We will be getting a new seawall soon and I really can't even imagine how it is going to look because it will be higher than the old one.

Now, remember the house across the water that was being built. It has taken f-o-r-e-v-e-r. They finally put in grass on Friday, so I thought I would share the new look across the bayou. They are still working on the landscaping, but here is the progress. 

Regular view from my deck and then a ...

zoom view.

Next door to me outside the cul-de-sac are two cottages on prime real estate. I am glad it has been left like the old days for the 39 years either we or my in-laws have lived in our present home. 

The cottages have been updated and look so cute. I thought you might like a peek.

This one was a sage green and got a pop of blue. It looks great. 

The one closest to us was changed from a bright yellow to white and cute wooden shutters were added all the way around the cottage. They removed the front door and made an entrance on the side.

They put in green doors on the white one. It really is adorable.

Both cottages are owned by members of the same family. 

That is it for the neighborhood. 

A few pictures of Lindsay's house. I won't show all just a few more of the new colors. I had already shared the new colors in a previous post and a few of the rooms.

The living room is all set again.

Here is the dining room.

Here is the master bedroom with the darker bedroom wall color.

They are proud to be back at home and settled once again.

That is all I have for today. I have been stitching and reading, so I will share more of those hobbies another day.

Happy spring days,

Sandy